Magnetic game of skill



May 3, 1966 c. R. LUCHSINGER MAGNETIC GAME OF SKILL Filed March 20, 1965 FIq. 5.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,249,357 MAGNETIC GAME OF SKILL Charles R. Luchsinger, Glen Cove, N.Y., assignor to The Luchland Company, Passaic, N.J., a partnership Filed Mar. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 266,698 4 Claims. (Cl. 273-1) This invention relates in general to a game, and more specifically to an amusing game of skill.

An object of this invention is to provide a game of skill which is both amusing and interesting for children of all ages.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game of skill which is constructed and arranged so as to develop a childs manual dexterity and reflexes.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a game of skill in which the particular skill and ability of a player can be evaluated and compared with the same skills of other players.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a skill game which is relatively simple in construction, which can be manufactured at relatively little cost, which is positive in operation and which is capable of maintaining the interest and amusement of children over a considerable period of time.

In accordance with this invention the foregoing objects are attained by a game board which has located thereon pivot means on which a hazard means of .amusing shape is pivo-tally balanced in spaced relationship to the board.

A plurality of game tokens of equally amusing shape are placed on the board around and in the vicinity of the hazard means. In accordance with this invention both the hazard means and the token pieces are formed of a magnetic attractive mate-rial. A manipulating means in the form of a magnet suspended on the end of a string element is provided for retrieving the tokens :by magnetic attraction. The object of the game is for a player to retrieve the token piece by magnetic attraction with the manipulating means without effecting the disturbance of the hazard mean-s which is movably pivoted above and in guarding relationship to the tokens scattered on the board, and which is also capable of being attracted to the magnet. Thus, the .arrangement of the game components calls for a manual dexterity requiring a high degree of skill and precision in order to effectively retrieve the tokens by magnetic attraction without attracting or receiving interference from the hazard which is also attractable to the magnet.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a particularly constructed manipulating means which will enable only the token pieces to be attracted to the mag net when the magnet manipulating means is handled in a particularly skillful manner.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision in that each of the respective token pieces may be evaluated with a particular value dependent upon the relative position thereof with respect to the hazard means so that .a greater value will be given to those tokens which are located in the more diflicult retrieving positions.

Other features and advantages become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and de-;

Patented May 3, 1966 ger ll; which the hazard is movably pivoted upon the game oar Referring to the drawings, there is shown therein the novel game construction 10 of the instant invention. As shown, the game 10 comprises a game board 11 formed of a non-magnetic material, which is defined by a bottom wall 11A having an upright circumscribing wall portion 11B extending about the outer periphery of the bottom Wall 11A. To add interest and a note of realization to the game, the interior surfaces of the game board may be depicted in accordance with some interesting and amusing theme. In the illustrated embodiment a typical underwater scene or theme which includes drawings and pictures of fishes, seaweed and various other forms of underwater life are located on the bottom and side walls of the board. While the illustrated embodiment discloses an underwater theme, it will be readily apparent that the game to be herein described may be constructed along other themes. For example, a desert scene may be employed, or a space theme may be employed without departing from the spirit or scope of this invent-ion.

Located centrally on the bottom wall lllA is a pivot post 12 which extends upwardly therefrom. In accordance with this invention a hazard means 13 is pivotally supported or balanced on the end of the pivot means 12 so as to be readily movable in space and above the bottom wall 11A of the board. In the illustrated invention and in keeping with the underwater theme of the game, the hazard 13 is formed in the figure of an octopus. As shown, the octopus figure is formed of a stamping from a magnetically attractive material. The body of the octopus is formed with a coneavo-convex cross-section as illustrated in FIG. 5. At the center of the octopus body there is provided a dimple 14 which is to locate the octopus on the top of the pivot 12; as seen in FIG. 5. The

dirnple 14, in accordance with this invention, is located at the exact center of gravity of the octopus figure so that it can be pivotally balanced or supported on the pivot means 12. The ten-acles 13A of the octopus extend outwardly from the body portion thereof so as to extend over and hover over various portions of the game board. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the tentacles 13A is also provided with a convexo-concave cross-section. The upper surface of the figure is painted with the features symbolizing the octopus. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 the arrangement is such that the octopus figure 13 is delicately balanced on the end of the pivot means 12 and that it is free to rotate thereabout under the slightest influence.

In accordance with this invention game tokens 15, also formed of a magnetically attractive material, are randomly placed over the surface of the bottom wall 11A. As shown in FIG. 2 the tokens 15 are constructed so as to simulate pieces of gold or silver bullion or treasure, or various other articles which may be associated with undersea scenes. In order that the players dexterity can be evaluated, each of the tokens 15 may be provided with a predetermined value which may differ from one another. For example, the silver bars may be given a value of say five hundred, and the gold bars may be given a value of a thousand and so forth. The higher the value of the token 15, the closer the token is positioned to the body of the octopus. The lower the value of the token 15 the greater would be the distance of the token from the body of the octopus. Therefore, it will be apparent that the greater the distance the particular token 15 is placed from any portion of the octopus the easier it is for it to be retrieved without interference from the octopus, as will be hereinafter described, and conversely, the closer the token is placed to the body of the octopus, the more diflicult it becomes to retrieve the same.

In accordance with this invention the object of the game is to employ a magnetic manipulating means 16 to retrieve or attract thereto the particular token pieces 15 without receiving intereference from or attracting the octopus figure thereto. The manipulaing means 16 employed in retrieving the token pieces 15 comprises a permanent magnet 16A which is suspended on the end of a string 16B, preferably an elastic stretchable string element, as for example, a rubber band or the like. In keeping with the underwater theme of the game, the permanent magnet 16A is located at the base of a figure formed as an underwater diver 16C.

Since the hazard means, which is in the form of an octopus figure 13 and the respective token means 15 which are scattered about the bottom wall of the game board =are made of a ferrous magnetically attracted material, it will be apparent that whenever the manipulating means 16 which has the permanent magnet attached thereto is moved into the vicinity of either of these means, that both the tokens and the hazard may be attracted to the magnet. Therefore, the skill required in playing the game is that of retrieving the tokens 15 by attracting the same to the bar magnet 16A which is swingingly suspended at the end of the string 16B in such a manner as to attract only the tokens thereto. To accomplish this the bar magnet 16A has to be moved with a quickness which will not effect attraction of any part of the hazard figure 13. Thus, it will be apparent that the closer the token is positioned to any portion of the hazard figure or octopus, the more difficult the trick becomes of retrieving the token without attracting the octopus thereto, In the event that the octopus 13 is attracted to the magnet before a iven token is retrieved, then a symbolic capture of the diver by the octopus is had. In such event, the player being symbolically caught by the octopus will lose his turn, and if more than one player is playing the game the manipulating means 16 is passed on to the next player whereupon the second player attempts to retrieve more of the game tokens. If scores are being kept, the one who retrieves the number of tokens which total to the largest value theoretically will determine the person having the greater skill and manual dexterity. With the bar magnet 16A suspended on the end of an elastic string 16B, the secret or technique of retrieving the token pieces, which will become evident to the more alert players, is that a quick snapping action of dropping the magnet directly on to the token is required to steal the token away from the octopus hazard before it has time to react to the attractive field of the bar magnet.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that the game and the concept embodied in the described structure constitutes an interesting and fascinating game which will also develop ones manual or muscular dexterity and skill.

While the instant invention has been disclosed with reference to a particular embodiment thereof it is to be appreciated that the invention is not to be taken as limited to all of the details thereof as modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit 1 or scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A game of skill comprising a game board, a rigid pivot means extending upwardly from said board, means defining a hazard pivotally and rotatably mounted for movement on said pivot means, said hazard being formed of a magnetically attractive material, .a plurality of game tokens randomly placed in the vicinity of said hazard, said game tokens being formed of a magnetically attrac tive material, a manipulating means for retrieving said tokens, said latter means including a flexible string element .and a magnet suspended therefrom.

32. A game of skill comprising:

(a) a game board having a bottom wall,

(b) a rigid pivot located centrally of said board and extending p y m the bottom wall thereof,

(c) an animated figure pivotally and rotatably supported on said pivot whereby said figure is substantially balanced in movable spaced relationship about said pivot and above said board,

((1) said figure having portions thereof extended in hovering position over portions of said bottom wall,

(e) said figure being formed of a magnetically attractive ferrous material,

(f) a plurality of tokens randomly scattered over the surface of said bottom wall in the vicinity of said figure and between the extended portions thereof,

(g) said token being formed of a ferrous, magnetically attractive material and formed in interesting and attractive shapes,

(h) and magnetic manipulating means for retrieving said tokens,

(i) said manipulating means including a string of stretchable material, and

(j) a permanent magnet suspended in the end of said string.

3. A skill game comprising:

(a) a game board having a bottom wall and an upright wall circumscribing the periphery of said bottom wall,

(b) means defining a game theme formed on the inside surface of said board,

(0) a rigid pivot located centrally of said board and extending upwardly from the bottom wall thereof,

(d) a figure in keeping with said theme pivotally and rotatably supported on said pivot whereby said figure is substantially balanced in spaced relationship about said pivot and above said board, said figure being free to move when subjected to an external influence,

(e) said figure having extended portions hovering over portions of said bottom wall, and

(f) said figure being formed of a magnetically attractive ferrous material,

(g) a plurality of tokens randomly scattered over the surface of said bottom wall; in the vicinity of said figure and between the extended portions thereof,

(h) said tokens being formed of a ferrous, magnetically attractive material,

(i) and manipulating means for retrieving said tokens,

(j) said manipulating means including a string of stretchable elastic material, and

(k) a permanent magnet suspendedin the end of said string,

(1) and said magnet being shaped in keeping with said theme whereby the object of the game is to retrieve said tokens by magnetic attraction with said manipulating means without attracting the hazard figure.

4. A game of skill comprising:

(a) a game board having a bottom wall and an upright wall circumscribing the periphery of said bottom wall,

(b) means depicting an underwater scene on the inside surface of said board,

(c) a rigid pivot located centrally of said board and extending upwardly from the bottom wall thereof, (d) a figure of an octopus pivotally and rotatably supported on said pivot whereby said figure is substantially balanced in movable spaced relationship about said pivot and above said board,

(c) said octopus having spread tentacles hovering over portions of said bottom .wall,

(f) said octopus being formed of a magnetically attractive ferrous material,

(g) a plurality of tokens randomly scattered over the surface of said bottom wall in the vicinity of said octopus figure and between the. tentacles thereof,

(h) said token being formed of a ferrous, magnetically attractive material and shaped to simulate gold and silver bullion, and the like,

(i) and manipulating means for retrieving said tokens,

5 6 (j) said manipulating means including a string of stretchable material, and References Cited by the Examiner (k)t anpermanent magnet suspended in the end of said UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 991 626 2/1935 Rawdon 273-1 (1) said magnet being disposed in a figurine having the 5 shape of a diver, wherein the object of the game is to 2904336 9/1959 Washbum 273.1 3,118,669 1/1964 Merrill 2731 retrieve said tokens with said manipulating means by holding the string so that the magnet connected thereto is held in suspension and attracting only the tokens RICHARD PINKHAM Prmary Exammer' to the magnet with a sharp, quick snap action of the 10 LOUIS R, PRINCE, Examiner,

manipulating means. 

1. A GAME OF SKILL COMPRISING A GAME BOARD, A RIGID PIVOT MEANS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BOARD, MEANS DEFINING A HAZARD PIVOTALLY AND ROTATABLY MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT ON SAID PIVOT MEANS, SAID HAZARD BEING FORMED OF A MAGNETICALLY ATTRACTIVE MATERIAL, A PLURALITY OF GAME TOKENS RANDOMLY PLACED IN THE VICINITY OF SAID HAZARD, SAID GAME TOKENS BEING FORMED OF A MAGNETICALLY ATTRACTIVE MATERIAL, A MANIPULATING MEANS FOR RETRIEVING SAID TOKENS, SAID LATTER MEANS INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE STRING ELEMENT AND A MAGNET SUSPENDED THEREFROM. 